Scars decisions — 2001

The Board denied reopening the veteran's claim for service connection of pterygium and also denied a compensable evaluation for his scars. The denial on both issues is final.

The veteran's initial evaluations for gastroparesis and benign skin growths with a tender and painful scar of the right hand have been granted, with an effective date of August 12, 1997.

The Board denied increased evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and a scar wound to the right forearm, finding that the veteran's conditions did not warrant higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death was not related to service or a service-connected disorder.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected anxiety disorder, scars of the right forearm, gunshot wound to the right arm with scarring and incomplete paralysis of the median nerve, and gunshot wound resulting in injury to Muscle Group XV, posterior lateral aspect of the thigh were denied. The Board found that the current evaluations adequately reflected the severity of these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render her unemployable on an ascertainable date prior to September 12, 1997 and denied the claim for an earlier effective date.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have objective evidence of a left inguinal herniorrhaphy scar, and thus, the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's schedular guidelines are not met.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected scar, left leg is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development.

The Board finds that the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 20, 1999, for the grant of service connection for dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is denied. The case is REMANDED to obtain all outstanding medical records and to schedule the veteran for a VA examination.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a scar on his left hand was denied. The RO found that the first formal claim for this condition was received in May 1999, and thus no earlier effective date could be granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, malaria, post-malaria syndrome, and a scar on his left shin. The decision is final as it was based on a previous denial of the same claim in September 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left eye area scar and a compensable evaluation for residuals of a lateral right eye area laceration, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or post-service records.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating on the initial service-connected residual scarring from penile implant.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent effective October 27, 1999. The veteran's residuals of head trauma with associated headaches are currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling and a higher rating is not warranted.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his scar was denied by the RO, as there is no evidence of ulceration or limitation of function that would warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for recurrent callus formation of the right foot with postoperative scars, finding no current medical evidence supporting this condition.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to independently perform daily functions of self-care or to protect himself from the hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on a need for regular aid and attendance.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities. The RO found that he met the schedular criteria for such a rating, but the examinations did not address whether his unemployability was solely due to his service-connected conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right thigh donor scar does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, and his combined schedular rating remains at 40 percent.